Green Party Endorses Bee Kevin Xiong

ST. PAUL — Bee Kevin Xiong is looking to be the next Saint Paul City Councilmember to serve the East Side. He won the Endorsement of his Green Party at its July 9 Caucus as for the Ward 6 candidate. Xiong said is running on a “Time for Change” platform with priorities of economic development, jobs, better housing, safer streets and affordable homes and related programs. The Election will be held Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

According to his Green Party interview, Xiong said he would put the needs of the city first and work together with all council members to ensure the important matters of making the city better and greener are paramount. He said that a city councilmember is a decision-maker, an idea person, a visionary, and offers suggestions about economic development, housing, streets, parking, public safety and other concerns of the community.

This is the first time Xiong has sought public office and he states on his Facebook page that he sought the endorsement of the Green Party, because he shares the same vision in making the Saint Paul a better place to live. He was also impressed with the way Green Party candidates support each other as a team with advertising, campaigning and getting out the message.

In the past, Xiong said he helped run successful campaigns for both his cousin, Joe Bee Xiong and his brother Saidang Xiong, when they ran for City Council in Eau Claire, Wisc. Xiong’s role was as a general advisor to include advertising and fundraising.

Xiong has served as Board Member on the mutual assistance association, Hmong American Partnership, and with another nonprofit, Xiong United National, Inc for two terms as its public relations officer. He also ran for and won a seat on the Lao Family Community of Minnesota last year.

Xiong said he expect to need to raise anywhere from $20,000 to $25,000 to run a successful campaign. His team will host two fundraising parties and he expects donations to reach $10,000 to $15,000 just from those two events alone. The rest of donations will come from supporters, he added.

To run a successful campaign, Xiong states he will need a multicultural mix of managers, and that it is not a Hmong only effort, and one that is to serve the entire Sixth Ward. Xiong plans to be out door-knocking to be able to meet all of his supporters and voters in person and to get to know each other.